Outdoor unit

ABSTRACT

An outdoor unit is configured to accommodate a compressor and is connected to a refrigerant pipe used for circulating refrigerant between an indoor unit. The outdoor unit includes a bottom panel under the compressor to support the compressor, a first side panel on a peripheral edge of the bottom panel, a second side panel at a position facing the first side panel on the peripheral edge of the bottom panel, and an outdoor heat exchanger above the bottom panel and extending in a direction from the first side panel toward the second side panel, wherein the outdoor heat exchanger has an end portion facing one of side end portions of the second side panel, and the bottom panel includes a projection formed at a position corresponding to the end portion of the outdoor heat exchanger and protruding in a direction from the first side panel toward the second side panel.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an outdoor unit of a refrigerationcycle apparatus.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, an outdoor unit of refrigeration cycle apparatus such asair-conditioning apparatus has a casing that accommodates, for example,a compressor, a heat exchanger, a blower and the like. The outdoor unitof air-conditioning apparatus is connected via a refrigerant pipe to anindoor unit that accommodates a heat exchanger, a blower and the like.When the blower is actuated, outside air is supplied to the heatexchanger so that heat is exchanged between air and refrigerant whichflows in the heat exchanger. The capability of the refrigeration cycleapparatus such as heating and cooling depends on the amount of heatexchange between air and refrigerant. That is, the larger the size ofheat exchanger is, the larger heating capacity and cooling capacity canbe obtained.

According to Patent Literature 1, the outdoor unit has a rectangularshaped bottom panel and the heat exchanger is disposed, for example, toextend in a long side direction of the bottom panel. This allows a largesized heat exchanger to be accommodated in the casing of the outdoorunit.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

Patent Literature 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application PublicationNo. 5-133571

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

In general, the outdoor unit of air-conditioning apparatus is installedoutside the building. For example, when the outdoor unit is installed inan apartment building, the outdoor unit is installed in a balcony.Compared to an individual house that usually has an available space forinstallation of the outdoor unit such as a garden, an installation spacein a balcony of an apartment building is relatively small and is oftenlimited. Accordingly, besides the indoor unit which is installed insidethe building, the outdoor unit which is installed outside the buildingis also required to be reduced in size.

Increasing the size of outdoor unit allows a larger sized heat exchangerto be accommodated in the casing, thereby obtaining larger heatingcapacity and cooling capacity. However, as the outdoor unit increases insize, there may be a problem for the outdoor unit in installationoutside the building.

The present invention has been made to overcome the above problem, andan object of the invention is to provide an outdoor unit capable ofhousing a larger heat exchanger (outdoor heat exchanger) whilepreventing increasing in size of the outdoor unit.

Solution to Problem

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided an outdoorunit accommodating a compressor and connected to a refrigerant pipe usedfor circulating refrigerant between an indoor unit and the outdoor unit,the outdoor unit comprising: a bottom panel disposed under thecompressor to support the compressor; a first side panel disposed on aperipheral edge of the bottom panel; a second side panel disposed at aposition facing the first side panel on the peripheral edge of thebottom panel; and an outdoor heat exchanger supported above the bottompanel and extending in a direction from the first side panel toward thesecond side panel, wherein the outdoor heat exchanger has an end portionfacing one of side end portions of the second side panel, and the bottompanel includes a projection formed at a position corresponding to theend portion of the outdoor heat exchanger, the projection protruding inthe direction from the first side panel toward the second side panel.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to an outdoor unit of the present invention having the aboveconfiguration, a larger heat exchanger (outdoor heat exchanger) can beused while preventing increasing in size of the outdoor unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a refrigeration cycle apparatus having anoutdoor unit according to Embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view which shows a configuration of the outdoorunit according to Embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of a casing of the outdoor unit accordingto Embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a top view of a bottom panel of the outdoor unit according toEmbodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5A is an explanatory view of and around a valve of the outdoor unitaccording to Embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5B is an explanatory view which shows a bottom panel, a fixedpanel, a valve, a refrigerant pipe and a cover of the outdoor unitaccording to Embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5C is an explanatory view of a state in which the cover of FIG. 5Bis removed.

FIG. 6 is a modified example 1 of the outdoor unit according toEmbodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7A is a modified example 2 of the outdoor unit according toEmbodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7B is a modified example 3 of the outdoor unit according toEmbodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7C is a modified example 4 of the outdoor unit according toEmbodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7D is a modified example 5 of the outdoor unit according toEmbodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7E is a modified example 6 of the outdoor unit according toEmbodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a horizontal cross section of the outdoorunit of a conventional air-conditioning apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

With document to the drawings, an outdoor unit 100 according toEmbodiment of the invention will be described. In the accompanyingdrawings including FIG. 1, the same reference signs refer to the same orcorresponding elements throughout the entire disclosure herein.

EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an air-conditioning apparatus 200 havingan outdoor unit 100 according to Embodiment. FIG. 1(a) is an example ofa refrigerant circuit configuration of the air-conditioning apparatus200, and FIG. 1(b) shows that the outdoor unit 100 and an indoor unit150 are connected via a refrigerant pipe P. The following Embodimentshows an example in which a refrigeration cycle apparatus is theair-conditioning apparatus 200.

[Air-Conditioning Apparatus 200]

The air-conditioning apparatus 200 includes the indoor unit 150 and theoutdoor unit 100 which are connected via the refrigerant pipe P. Theindoor unit 150 includes an indoor heat exchanger 151 which serves as anevaporator during cooling operation and a condenser during heatingoperation. Cooling energy or heating energy is generated in the outdoorunit 100 and is delivered to the indoor unit 150 via the refrigerantpipe P.

The outdoor unit 100 is disposed, for example, outside of a building, anapartment house or an individual house, and supplies cooling energy orheating energy to the indoor unit 150 via the refrigerant pipe P. Theoutdoor unit 100 includes a compressor 4 that compresses refrigerant, afour-way valve 8 that switches flow passages, an expansion device 9 thatreduces the pressure of refrigerant, an outdoor heat exchanger 2 thatexchanges heat between air and refrigerant and a blower 3 that suppliesair to the outdoor heat exchanger 2.

The indoor unit 150 is installed at a position suitable for supplyingcooling air or heating air into a space to be air-conditioned, forexample, in a room, and supplies cooling air or heating air into theair-conditioned space. The indoor unit 150 includes the indoor heatexchanger 151 that exchanges heat between air and refrigerant, and ablower 152 that supplies air to the indoor heat exchanger 151.

The indoor heat exchanger 151, the four-way valve 8 and the expansiondevice 9 will be described. The indoor heat exchanger 151 exchanges heatbetween room air which is suctioned by the blower 152 into the indoorunit 150 and refrigerant so that refrigerant is condensed and liquefiedduring heating operation and refrigerant is evaporated and gasifiedduring cooling operation. The four-way valve 8 switches a flow ofrefrigerant during heating operation and a flow of refrigerant duringcooling operation and defrost operation. During heating operation, thefour-way valve 8 allows a discharge side of the compressor 4 tocommunicate with the indoor heat exchanger 151 and allows a suction sideof the compressor 4 to communicate with the outdoor heat exchanger 2.Further, during cooling operation and defrost operation, the four-wayvalve 8 allows the discharge side of the compressor 4 to communicatewith the outdoor heat exchanger 2 and allows the suction side of thecompressor 4 to communicate with the indoor heat exchanger 151. Theexpansion device 9 reduces the pressure of refrigerant which flows inthe refrigerant circuit and allows the refrigerant to be expanded. Theexpansion device 9 is connected to the outdoor heat exchanger 2 at oneend and to the indoor heat exchanger 151 at the other end. The expansiondevice 9 may be a device capable of variably controlling an openingdegree such as an electronic expansion valve. Other configuration (suchas the compressor 4) will be described later.

Next, with document to FIG. 1(a), a refrigeration cycle operation of arefrigerant circuit shown in the figure will be described. Here, a flowof refrigerant during heating operation will be described. At the startof heating operation, the four-way valve 8 switches the flow passage asshown in FIG. 1(a). Gas refrigerant which is compressed and discharge bythe compressor 4 flows into the indoor heat exchanger 151 via thefour-way valve 8. Then, the gas refrigerant which flows into the indoorheat exchanger 151 exchanges heat with the room air supplied by theblower 152 and is condensed, and then flows out from the indoor heatexchanger 151. The refrigerant which flows out from the indoor heatexchanger 151 flows into the expansion device 9, and is expanded anddecompressed by the expansion device 9. The decompressed refrigerantflows into the outdoor heat exchanger 2, and exchanges heat with outsideair supplied by the blower 3 and is gasified, and then flows out fromthe outdoor heat exchanger 2. The gas refrigerant which flows out fromthe outdoor heat exchanger 2 is suctioned into the compressor 4 via thefour-way valve 8.

[Outdoor Unit 100]

FIG. 2 is a schematic view which shows a configuration of an outdoorunit 100 according to Embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of acasing of the outdoor unit 100 according to Embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 4 is a top view of a bottom panel 1E of the outdoor unit100 according to Embodiment. FIG. 2(a) is a perspective view of theoutdoor unit 100, FIG. 2(b) is a front view of the outdoor unit 100, andFIG. 2(c) is a cross sectional view of the outdoor unit. FIG. 2 shows astate in which a cover 1D is removed. FIG. 3(a) is a view of the outdoorunit 100 seen from the right side. FIG. 3(b) is a perspective view ofthe outdoor unit 100 with various components such as the outdoor heatexchanger 2 and the blower 3 having been removed from the casing.

The outdoor unit 100 includes the outdoor heat exchanger 2 which servesas a condenser during cooling operation and as an evaporator duringheating operation. In the following description, the front panel 1B isdefined as a front surface (front side) of the outdoor unit, the side onwhich a first side panel 1CC is located with respect to the front sideis defined as left side, and the side on which a second side panel 1C islocated with respect to the front side is defined as right side.

The casing of the outdoor unit 100 includes a top panel 1A that formsthe top surface of the outdoor unit 100, a front panel 1B that forms thefront surface of the outdoor unit 100, a first side panel 1CC that formsthe left side surface of the outdoor unit 100, a second side panel 1Cthat forms the right side surface of the outdoor unit 100, a fan grille1B2 that is disposed on the front panel 1B and forms part of the frontsurface of the outdoor unit 100, and a bottom panel 1E that forms thebottom of the outdoor unit 100. In this configuration, the first sidepanel 1CC, the front panel 1B and the second side panel 1C correspond toa peripheral panel. That is, the peripheral panel is disposed on aperipheral edge 1E1 of the bottom panel 1E and stands on the bottompanel 1E.

Further, the outdoor unit 100 includes a partition 5 that separates aninner space of the outdoor unit 100 into the right and left spaces, thecompressor 4 that compresses and discharges refrigerant, the outdoorheat exchanger 2 that has an L-shaped horizontal cross section, theblower 3 that supplies outside air to the outdoor heat exchanger 2, anda motor support 3A that holds the blower 3. The outdoor unit 100 furtherincludes the four-way valve 8 and an electric component box (not shownin the figure) that accommodates a controller that controls the rotationspeed of the compressor 4 and the like.

The outdoor unit 100 further includes a fixed panel 1F that is disposedat a corner C of the bottom panel 1E so as to be located on the innerside of the peripheral panel and stands upright on the bottom panel 1E,a roof panel 1FF that is connected to the fixed panel 1F, a valve 7 thatis fixed to the fixed panel 1F and is connected to the refrigerant pipeP, and a cover 1D that is mounted to cover the valve 7.

(Top Panel 1A)

The top panel 1A forms the top surface of the outdoor unit 100. The toppanel 1A is mounted on the upper end portion of the peripheral panel soas to cover the upper part of the outdoor heat exchanger 2. The toppanel 1A is in contact with the top panel 1A at the front end portionand the left end portion, respectively, so as to be supported by thefront panel 1B and the first side panel 1CC, and is in contact with thesecond side panel 1C at the right end portion so as to be supported bythe second side panel 1C. The top panel 1A is formed of, for example, ametal plate.

(Front Panel 1B and First Side Panel 1CC)

The front panel 1B forms part of the front surface of the outdoor unit100. The first side panel 1CC is disposed on the left end portion of thefront panel 1B, and the second side panel 1C is disposed on the rightend portion of the front panel 1B. Further, the cover 1D is attached onthe right end portion of the front panel 1B. In Embodiment, the firstside panel 1CC is integrally formed with the front panel 1B.

The front panel 1B has a lower end portion disposed on the peripheraledge 1E1 of the bottom panel 1E, and an upper end portion disposed onthe top panel 1A. Further, the right end portion of a frontsurface-forming portion of the front panel 1B extends along the frontend portion of the second side panel 1C. Moreover, the front panel 1Bhas a circular opening 1B1 which serves, for example, as an inlet foroutside air. The fan grille 1B2 is disposed so as to face a position ofthe opening 1B1. The front panel 1B is formed of, for example, a metalplate.

The front panel 1B has a front cutout portion 1BH formed in the lowerpart on the end portion adjacent to the second side panel 1C. The cover1D is attached on the front cutout portion 1BH.

The first side panel 1CC is disposed on the peripheral edge 1E1 of thebottom panel 1E. The first side panel 1CC is disposed on a portion whichcorresponds to one of short sides of the bottom panel 1E. The secondside panel 1C is disposed at a position facing the first side panel 1CC.The front end portion of the first side panel 1CC extends along the leftend portion of the front panel 1B. The first side panel 1CC has aplurality of openings through which air is supplied to the outdoor heatexchanger 2.

(Second Side Panel 1C)

The second side panel 1C forms part of the back surface and the rightside surface of the outdoor unit 100. The second side panel 1C has asubstantially L-shaped horizontal cross section and stands verticallyupright on the bottom panel 1E, and is located on the lateral side andback side of the compressor 4. The second side panel 1C has a front endportion which is in contact with the front panel 1B, an upper endportion which is in contact with the top panel 1A, and a lower endportion which is in contact with the bottom panel 1E. The second sidepanel 1C is formed of, for example, a metal plate.

The second side panel 1C is formed to extend along the peripheral edge1E1 of the bottom panel 1E, as described later, and has a tapered shapesurface 1CT. Since the refrigerant pipe P gradually curves when beingrouted along the tapered shape surface 1CT, the refrigerant pipe P isprevented from being damaged.

The second side panel 1C has a side cutout portion 1CH formed in thelower part on the front end portion which is located adjacent to thefront panel 1B. The cover 1D is attached to the side cutout portion 1CH.

(Fan Grille 1B2)

The fan grille 1B2 forms part of the front surface of the outdoor unit100 and is provided for preventing a user from being injured by theblower 3. The fan grille 1B2 is a grating member made up of, forexample, vertical and lateral bars.

(Bottom Panel 1E)

The bottom panel 1E forms part of the bottom of the outdoor unit 100.The bottom panel 1E is a rectangular shaped member that is disposedunder the compressor 4, the outdoor heat exchanger 2 and the like so asto support the compressor 4 and the outdoor heat exchanger 2. The bottompanel 1E includes a corner C2 (which corresponds to the first corner)that corresponds to a position at which a projection J is formed, and acorner C (which corresponds to the second corner) that corresponds to aposition at which the valve 7 is disposed.

The vertically standing peripheral edge 1E1 is formed on the peripheryof the bottom panel 1E. That is, the peripheral edge 1E1 is aflange-like portion formed on the peripheral edge of the bottom panel1E. The outdoor heat exchanger 2, the compressor 4, the partition 5 andthe like are disposed on the bottom panel 1E. The bottom panel 1E isformed of, for example, a metal plate.

The bottom panel 1E includes a projection J that is formed on theperipheral edge 1E1 on which the second side panel 1C is disposed, andprotrudes in the horizontal direction. The projection J is formed at aposition corresponding to an end portion of the first heat exchangesection 2A of the outdoor heat exchanger 2, and protrudes in thehorizontal direction. The projection J horizontally protrudes in adirection from the first side panel 1CC toward the second side panel 1Cwith respect to a position at which the valve 7 is located. Further, atapered shape surface J1 is formed on the edge of the projection J so asto extend toward a portion of bottom panel 1E which is located under thevalve 7. Accordingly, the second side panel 1C is formed to correspondto the shape of the projection J of the bottom panel 1E. That is, thesecond side panel 1C is formed to extend along the edge of theprojection J, and has a tapered shape surface parallel to the taperedshape surface J1.

(Partition 5)

The partition 5 is disposed to divide a space into an area in which thecompressor 4 and the valve 7 are located and an area in which theoutdoor heat exchanger 2 and the blower 3 are located. That is, thepartition 5 separates a space into a machine chamber R1 in which thecompressor 4, the valve 7 and the like are located and a blower chamberR2 in which the outdoor heat exchanger 2, blower 3, motor support 3A andthe like are located. The partition 5 is disposed, for example, on thebottom panel 1E. The front end portion of the partition 5 is disposed onthe front panel 1B and the back end portion is fixed to the end portionof the outdoor heat exchanger 2.

(Compressor 4)

The compressor 4 suctions refrigerant and then compresses therefrigerant into high temperature and high pressure state and dischargesit. The compressor 4 is connected via a pipe to the four-way valve 8that switches cooling operation and heating operation by switching aflow of refrigerant. The partition 5, the front panel 1B, the fixedpanel 1F and the like are disposed around the compressor 4. An electriccomponent box (which is not shown in the figure) used for variouscontrols is disposed above the compressor 4. The compressor 4 may not benecessarily directly disposed on the bottom panel 1E, and may be placedon an installation table disposed on the bottom panel 1E.

(Outdoor Heat Exchanger 2)

The outdoor heat exchanger 2 exchanges heat between air suctioned by theblower 3 into the outdoor unit 100 and refrigerant so that refrigerantis condensed and liquefied during cooling operation and refrigerant isevaporated and gasified during heating operation. The outdoor heatexchanger 2 is disposed, for example, on the bottom panel 1E. Theoutdoor heat exchanger 2 may not be necessarily directly disposed on thebottom panel 1E, and may be placed on an installation table disposed onthe bottom panel 1E. The motor support 3A is hung above the outdoor heatexchanger 2. The outdoor heat exchanger 2 is formed of, for example, afin-and-tube heat exchanger that exchanges heat between refrigerantwhich flows in a heat transfer tube and air which passes through a fin.

The outdoor heat exchanger 2 includes a first heat exchange section 2Athat extends straight in a direction from the first side panel 1CCtoward the second side panel 1C, a curved second heat exchange section2B, and a third heat exchange section 2C that is disposed to face thefirst side panel 1CC. The first heat exchange section 2A and the secondheat exchange section 2B are connected to each other, and the secondheat exchange section 2B and the third heat exchange section 2C areconnected to each other. A refrigerant distribution member 20 such as aheader that distributes refrigerant to various pipes and heat transfertubes is disposed on the end portion of the outdoor heat exchanger 2adjacent to the second side panel 1C. That is, the refrigerantdistribution member 20 is disposed on the end portion of the first heatexchange section 2A. Further, a hairpin 2C1 which is a heat transfertube bent in a semi-circular shape is disposed on the third heatexchange section 2C.

(Fixed Panel 1F and Roof Panel 1FF)

The fixed panel 1F is formed to separate a space into a space (machinechamber R1) in which the compressor 4 is located and a space in whichthe valve 7 is located. The fixed panel 1F is a plate member whichextends in the up-down direction. The fixed panel 1F extends from thebottom panel 1E to a height position of the upper ends of the sidecutout portion 1CH of the front cutout portion 1BH. One end portion (onthe front side) of the fixed panel 1F is disposed to face the innersurface of the front panel 1B and the other end portion (on the backside) of the fixed panel 1F is disposed along the front end portion ofthe second side panel 1C. The fixed panel 1F is disposed to form anacute angle between the fixed panel 1F and the front panel 1B.

The fixed panel 1F is connected to the roof panel 1FF. The roof panel1FF is connected to the upper end portion of the fixed panel 1F, thefront cutout portion 1BH and the side cutout portion 1CH, and isdisposed above the valve 7. Since the fixed panel 1F does not extendfrom the bottom panel 1E to the top panel 1A and the upper end portionof the fixed panel 1F is disposed at the middle between the bottom panel1E to the top panel 1A, the machine chamber R1 may have a large volume,thereby effectively using a limited space in the outdoor unit 100. Theroof panel 1FF is formed of, for example, a triangular shaped platemember. The roof panel 1FF is disposed such that the apex of the cornerC of the bottom panel 1E is located under the apex of the roof panel1FF. The apex of the roof panel 1FF as described herein is an apexlocated at the corner of the right end portion of the front panel 1B andthe front end portion of the second side panel 1C. The apex has an anglewhich is larger than those of the other two angles.

(Valve 7)

The valve 7 is mounted on the fixed panel 1F. The valve 7 is made up ofa valve 7A and a valve 7B. The valve 7 is connected to the refrigerantpipe P. The valve 7 is disposed in a closed space formed by the outersurface of the fixed panel 1F, the upper surface of the bottom panel 1Eand an inner surface of the cover 1D. Accordingly, even if therefrigerant is burnt and the fire is spread to the refrigerant pipe P,the spread of fire can be prevented at a position of the valve 7. Thatis, fire is prevented from burning the compressor 4, the outdoor heatexchanger 2 and the like.

(Cover 1D)

The cover 1D is disposed on the peripheral edge 1E1 of the bottom panel1E and is detachably mounted at a position facing the fixed panel 1F soas to cover the valve 7. The cover 1D is attached at a positioncorresponding to the corner C of the bottom panel 1E. The cover 1D formspart of front surface and part of right side surface of the casing ofthe outdoor unit 100. That is, the cover 1D is detachably attached tothe front cutout portion 1BH and the side cutout portion 1CH.

The cover 1D includes a front surface 1D1 which is parallel to the frontpanel 1B, a side surface 1D2 which is perpendicular to the front surface1D1, a lead-out section 1D3 used for leading out the refrigerant pipe Pwhich is connected to the valve 7, and a terminal table protectingsection 1 D4 which is formed to cover a mounting portion Q such as aterminal table connected to an electric component box 6. The cover 1D ismade up of the front surface 1D1, the side surface 1D2, the lead-outsection 1D3 and the terminal table protecting section 1D4, which areintegrally formed. The cover 1D may be formed of, for example, a resinor a metal plate.

The front surface 1D1 is a plate shaped member which upwardly extendsfrom the bottom panel 1E. The left end portion of the front surface 1D1extends along the right end portion of the front panel 1B. Further, theright end portion of the front surface 1D1 is connected to the sidesurface 1D2.

The side surface 1D2 is a plate shaped member which extends along theouter surface of the second side panel 1C. The side surface 1D2 has anL-shape in plan view. The lead-out section 1D3 is formed on the sidesurface 1D2 at a height position of the valve 7.

The lead-out section 1D3 is formed to protrude rightward from the sidesurface 1D2. Accordingly, the side surface of the cover 1D has a steppedportion at a position at which the lead-out section 1D3 is formed. Ifthe cover 1D does not have the lead-out section 1D3, although therefrigerant pipe P can be easily led out, rain water leaks into thecasing of the outdoor unit 100. Since the cover 1D has the lead-outsection 1D3 which protrudes from the side surface 1D2, leaking of rainwater into the casing of the outdoor unit 100 can be prevented whileavoiding interference with the refrigerant pipe P.

The terminal table protecting section 1D4 is formed on the same plane asthat of the lead-out section 1D3, and protrudes rightward from the sidesurface 1D2. The lower end portion of the terminal table protectingsection 1D4 is connected to the upper end portion of the lead-outsection 1D3. Further, the lower end portion of the terminal tableprotecting section 1D4 is connected to the side surface 1D2. The cover1D includes the front surface 1D1, the side surface 1D2, the lead-outsection 1D3 and the terminal table protecting section 1D4 which areintegrally formed, and can protect the terminal table as well as thevalve 7.

[Rainwater Leaking Prevention Configuration of Cover 1D]

FIG. 5A is an explanatory view of and around the valve 7 of the outdoorunit 100 according to Embodiment. FIG. 5B is an explanatory view whichshows the bottom panel 1E, the fixed panel 1F, the valve 7, therefrigerant pipe R and the cover 1D of the outdoor unit 100 according toEmbodiment. FIG. 5C is an explanatory view of a state in which the cover1D of FIG. 5B is removed.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the valve 7B is disposed under the valve 7A. Thevalve 7A and the valve 7B are connected to the respective refrigerantpipes P. The valve 7 is fixed to the fixed panel 1F. As shown in FIG.5B, the cover 1D is attached at a position corresponding to the corner Cof the bottom panel 1E so as to prevent rainwater from leaking into aclosed space SP in which the valve 7 is disposed.

Since the lead-out section 1D3 which protrudes from the side surface 1D2is formed on the cover 1D, the refrigerant pipe P can be easily led outfrom the outdoor unit 100. In addition to that, the lead-out section 1D3can prevent rainwater from leaking into the casing. Further, it alsoprevents the valve 7 from being exposed, thereby improving the design.

[Advantage Effect of Outdoor Unit 100 According to Embodiment]

In the outdoor unit 100 according to Embodiment, the bottom panel 1Eincludes the projection J. The projection J is formed at a positioncorresponding to the first heat exchange section 2A of the outdoor heatexchanger 2 and protrudes in the horizontal direction. This allows alarger outdoor heat exchanger 2 to be accommodated. That is, a widthdimension of the first heat exchange section 2A of the outdoor heatexchanger 2 can be increased by the amount of the area on which theprojection J is formed.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a horizontal cross section of the outdoorunit of a conventional air-conditioning apparatus. The conventionaloutdoor unit which does not have the projection J as shown in FIG. 8 hasa problem that, when housing a larger heat exchanger, the width of thefront and back sides of the outdoor unit increases, leading to increasein size of the outdoor unit.

In the bottom panel 1E of the outdoor unit 100 of Embodiment, the frontside of a portion of the peripheral edge 1E1 on which the projection Jis formed does not protrude. That is, in the bottom panel 1E, the widthdimension on the back side of the outdoor unit 100 is increased due tothe projection J being formed, while the width dimension on the frontside is relatively short since there is no structure corresponding tothe projection J. As a result, the outdoor unit 100 can be preventedfrom being increased in size.

Accordingly, the outdoor unit 100 of Embodiment 1 is capable of housinga larger heat exchanger (outdoor heat exchanger 2) while preventing theoutdoor unit 100 from increasing in size.

[Modified Example 1]

FIG. 6 shows a modified example 1 of the outdoor unit 100 according toEmbodiment. FIG. 6(a) is a perspective view of the outdoor unit 100, andFIG. 6(b) is a front view of the outdoor unit 100. In the aboveembodiment, in order to increase a volume of the machine chamber R1, afront end of the roof panel 1FF (apex of a right angle) comes on thefront surface, and the apex of the corner C is located under the apex ofthe largest angle.

In modified example 1, the apex of the right angle of the roof panel 1FFis located at a backward position. Accordingly, a folded portion 21 isformed on the front panel 1B, and a folded portion 22 is formed on thesecond side panel 1C. The front panel 1B and the second side panel 1Care positioned such that a side end portion of the folded portion 21 anda side end portion of the folded portion 22 are along each other.

Further, in modified example 1, the fixed panel 1F, the cover 1D and thesecond side panel 1C are positioned from the bottom panel 1E to the toppanel 1A extending in the up-down direction.

[Advantage Effect of Outdoor Unit 100 According to Modified Example 1]

The outdoor unit 100 of modified example 1 has an effect as describedbelow in addition to the same effect as that of the outdoor unit 100 ofthe above Embodiment. That is, the outdoor unit 100 of modified example1 can be reduced in size, while reducing a volume of the machine chamberR1 since the outdoor unit 100 includes the folded portion 21 and thefolded portion 22.

[Modified Examples 2 to 6]

FIGS. 7A to 7E show modified examples 2 to 6 of the outdoor unitaccording to Embodiment of the present invention. The following modifiedexamples 2 to 6 show various variations of the bottom panel 1E. Thesecond side panel 1C is formed to extend along the peripheral edge 1E1of the bottom panel 1E.

Difference between the outdoor unit 100 according to the aboveembodiment and the outdoor unit 100 according to modified examples 2 to6 will be described.

In modified examples 2 to 6, the fixed panel 1F is not provided inwardof the peripheral edge 1E1 of the bottom panel 1E.

Further, in modified examples 2 to 6, the valve 7 is mounted on thesecond side panel 1C.

Although the surface of the cover 1D in Embodiment and modified example1 is provided along the surface of the second side panel 1C, a cover 10Din modified examples 2 to 6 is mounted on the second side panel 1C suchthat the surface of the cover 1D protrudes from the second side panel1C.

FIGS. 7A(a), 7B(a), 7D(a), 7D(a) and 7E(a) show sectional views of theoutdoor unit 100. FIGS. 7A(b1), 7B(b1), 7C(b1), 7D(b1) and 7E(b1) showexamples which adopts the roof panel 1FF of Embodiment, while FIGS.7A(b2), 7B(b2), 7C(b2), 7D(b2) and 7E(b2) show examples which adopts theroof panel 1FF of modified example 1. Accordingly, the fixed panel 1Fshown in FIGS. 7A(b2), 7B(b2), 7C(b2), 7D(b2) and 7E(b2) has a heightdimension larger than the fixed panel 1F shown in FIGS. 7A(b1), 7B(b1),7C(b1), 7D(b1) and 7E(b1).

As shown in FIG. 7A(a), in addition to the difference described above,modified example 2 has a difference that the tapered shape surface J1described in Embodiment is provided as a vertical surface. Modifiedexample 2 may adopt the roof panel 1FF of the outdoor unit 100 ofEmbodiment as shown in FIG. 7A(b1), or may adopt the roof panel 1FF ofthe outdoor unit 100 of modified example 1 as shown in FIG. 7A(b2).

As shown in FIG. 7B(a), modified example 3 is the same as the outdoorunit 100 of Embodiment except for the difference described above.Modified example 2 may adopt the roof panel 1FF of the outdoor unit 100of Embodiment as shown in FIG. 7B(b1), or may adopt the roof panel 1FFof the outdoor unit 100 of modified example 1 as shown in FIG. 7B(b2).

As shown in FIG. 7D(a), in modified example 4, the bottom panel 1E has acutout portion J2 formed at a position of the corner C (whichcorresponds to the second corner). That is, in modified example 4, thebottom panel 1E includes the cutout portion J2 which is formed bycutting the corner C in a tapered shape to decrease a volume of themachine chamber R1. The second side panel 1C may extend to a position ofthe cutout portion J2, or the front panel 1B may extend to a position ofthe cutout portion J2. Further, modified example 4 may adopt the roofpanel 1FF of the outdoor unit 100 of Embodiment as shown in FIG. 7C(b1),or may adopt the roof panel 1FF of the outdoor unit 100 of modifiedexample 1 as shown in FIG. 7C(b2).

As shown in FIG. 7D(a), in modified example 5, the bottom panel 1E isformed such that the tapered shape surface J1 of the projection Jextends to the corner C. Further, modified example 5 may adopt the roofpanel 1FF of the outdoor unit 100 of Embodiment as shown in FIG. 7D(b1),or may adopt the roof panel 1FF of the outdoor unit 100 of modifiedexample 1 as shown in FIG. 7D(b2).

As shown in FIG. 7E(a), in modified example 6, the bottom panel 1E hasthe tapered shape surface J1 which is a vertical surface. Further, thebottom panel 1E also has the projection J on a side on which the cornerC is formed. In addition, another vertical surface is provided at aposition facing the vertical surface. That is, in modified example 6,the bottom panel 1E has a recess J3 formed of two projections J as seenfrom the above. The valve 7 is formed on the second side panel 1C at aposition corresponding to the recess J3. Further, modified example 6 mayadopt the roof panel 1FF of the outdoor unit 100 of Embodiment as shownin FIG. 7E(b1), or may adopt the roof panel 1FF of the outdoor unit 100of modified example 1 as shown in FIG. 7E(b2).

[Advantage Effect of Outdoor Unit 100 According to Modified Examples 2to 6]

The outdoor unit 100 according to modified examples 2 to 6 has the sameeffect as that of the outdoor unit 100 of the above Embodiment.

DOCUMENT SIGNS LIST

1A top panel 1B front panel 1B1 opening 1B2 fan grille

1BH front cutout portion 1C second side panel 1CC first side panel

1CH side cutout portion 1CT tapered shape surface 1D cover 1D1 frontsurface 1D2 side surface 1D3 lead-out section 1D4 terminal tableprotecting section 1E bottom panel 1E1 peripheral edge

1F fixed panel 1FF roof panel 2 outdoor heat exchanger 2A first heatexchange section 2B second heat exchange section 2C third heat exchangesection 2C1 hairpin 3 blower 3A motor support 4 compressor 5 partition 6electric component box

valve 7A valve 7B valve 8 four-way valve

9 expansion device 10D cover 20 refrigerant distribution member 21folded portion 22 folded portion 100 outdoor unit 150 indoor unit 151indoor heat exchanger 152 blower 200 air-conditioning apparatus C cornerC2 corner J projection J1 tapered shape surface J2 cutout portion J3recess P refrigerant pipe Q mounting portion

R1 machine chamber R2 blower chamber SP closed space

1. An outdoor unit accommodating a compressor and connected to arefrigerant pipe used for circulating refrigerant between an indoor unitand the outdoor unit, the outdoor unit comprising: a bottom paneldisposed under the compressor to support the compressor; a first sidepanel disposed on a peripheral edge of the bottom panel; a second sidepanel disposed at a position facing the first side panel and on theperipheral edge of the bottom panel; and an outdoor heat exchangersupported above the bottom panel and extending in a direction from thefirst side panel toward the second side panel, wherein the outdoor heatexchanger has an end portion facing one of side end portions of thesecond side panel, the bottom panel includes a projection formed at aposition corresponding to the end portion of the outdoor heat exchanger,the projection protruding in the direction from the first side paneltoward the second side panel, and the end portion of the outdoor heatexchanger is disposed above the projection of the bottom panel.
 2. Theoutdoor unit of claim 1, further comprising a valve disposed on a sideon which the second side panel is located, the valve being connected tothe refrigerant pipe, wherein the projection is formed to protrude inthe direction from the first side panel toward the second side panelwith respect to a position at which the valve is disposed.
 3. Theoutdoor unit of claim 2, wherein a tapered shape surface is formed on anedge of the projection to extend toward an edge portion of the bottompanel located under the valve, and the second side panel is formed toextend along the edge of the projection.
 4. The outdoor unit of claim 2,further comprising a fixed panel which is disposed on the bottom paneland on which the valve is mounted.
 5. The outdoor unit of claim 4,wherein the bottom panel includes a first corner corresponding to aposition at which the projection is formed and a second corner of thebottom panel located under the valve, the second side panel is disposedat the first corner, and the fixed panel is disposed at the secondcorner.
 6. The outdoor unit of claim 4, further comprising a coverdisposed on the peripheral edge of the bottom panel and mounted at aposition facing the fixed panel so as to cover the valve, wherein thecover has a lead-out section used for leading out the refrigerant pipeconnected to the valve.
 7. The outdoor unit of claim 6, furthercomprising a top panel disposed on an upper end portion of the firstside panel and the second side panel so as to cover an upper part of theoutdoor heat exchanger, wherein the fixed panel, the cover and thesecond side panel extend from the bottom panel to the top panel.
 8. Theoutdoor unit of claim 6, further comprising a front panel which isdisposed on the peripheral edge of the bottom panel, the first sidepanel being provided at one end portion and the second side panel at theother end portion, wherein the front panel has a front cutout portionformed in a lower part of the other end portion, the second side panelhas a side cutout portion formed in other of side end portions adjacentto the front panel, the side curt portion being formed in a lower partof the other side end portion, and the cover is disposed in the frontcutout portion and the side cutout portion.